Soldiers Gold Mine

Nuggets to keep you informed

09/12/2011 |

The Griffon

G1 Nugget

ADPAAS Awareness

WHAT is ADPAAS? ADPAAS stands for Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System. It is the official web-based system used by the US Army to account for its personnel in the event of a major natural or man-made disaster (example: hurricane, terrorist attack, tsunami, etc). ADPAAS allows you to report your current location, to update emergency personal contact information, and to request assistance (especially if you had to evacuate far away from your home or place of work).

WHY is ADPAAS important? USARC requires the accounting of personnel in ADPAAS in case of a disaster. Based on any needs you report (shelter, water, food, etc) a case manager will be assigned to you to assist in your recovery. Quick and accurate reporting will expedite getting your family the help you need. Also, with hurricane season now upon us, the likelihood of a disaster is at its highest point of the year.

WHO needs to account for themselves in ADPAAS? ADPAAS is designed to help Army Family Members, which it defines as Soldiers, Reservists, DA civilians, OCONUS Contractors and their immediate Family members.

WHEN are you required to account in ADPAAS? HQDA creates events in ADPAAS on a case-by-case basis depending on how widespread and severe a disaster is. Based on the ZIP code of your current location, HQDA generates a roster of personnel within the affected area of the event. If you feel you have been affected by such an event you can log on to the website to report for yourself. You will be contacted by a Command Officer Representative (COR) within your unit if you have not accounted for yourself in a timely manner.

HOW can you prepare now in case of a disaster? First, login to the ADPAAS website (https://adpaas.army.mil) today to ensure you are able to and familiarize yourself with the system. While logged in, make sure that you and your family’s information is current. Your address is especially critical to guarantee you are reported as affected by any events in your area.

WHERE can you get help regarding ADPAAS? Talk with your immediate supervisor to find out who the CORs are within your unit. CORs are you first option for any assistance with ADPAAS. The website also contains a lot of references on how to use the system.

Don’t wait until it is too late! Make sure you understand the ADPAAS website now.

G6 Nugget

Growing Soldier Population Engages New Media Basic Social Computing Guidelines

Social networks sites such as Facebook, Blogger and Twitter are an ever increasing way to communicate. The military is not exempt from their impact. Soldiers, Army civilians and contractors are using social media to connect with each other during work and during combat deployments. While their reach is great, they do present an increased risk that sensitive information will be released that puts our Soldiers in danger. These risks are not unique to social media, but they do require that users remember certain ‘rules of engagement’ before they decide to become a part of the social media culture.

Personal decision. It is an individual’s personal decision whether he or she wants to participate in social computing; Soldiers maintain their First Amendment rights and do have the right to express themselves in a public forum. However, Soldiers must remember that rules apply on the Internet – just like the physical world. If a Soldier uses a social networking site

where he or she is or may be identified or associated with the U.S. Army, they must remember how they appear to represent their organization and the United States of America. UCMJ and other guidelines and regulations still apply.

Rules and regulations. Soldiers must be aware of all pertinent rules and regulations including UCMJ, AR 25-1 (Army Knowledge Management and Information Technology) and AR 530-1 (Operations Security).

Transparency. Anyone making statements on a public forum should identify himself or herself and their affiliation with the U.S. Army if they are commenting on the U.S. Army. Be transparent. If you are not a public affairs officer speaking on behalf of the U.S. Army, you should make it clear that your statements are your own and do not represent an official U.S. Army position (Example: This statement is my own and does not constitute an endorsement or opinion of the U.S. Army or Department of Defense.).

Stay in your lane. It applies in public forums as much as it applies to interviews with the media. If you are not the best person to comment on a subject, you should not do so in an official capacity.

OPSEC. Operations security is critical. Any information that may compromise OPSEC should not be discussed. If in doubt, consult with your immediate supervisor or operations officer.

Think first, then post. Be aware of how you represent yourself in personal social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. If you are posting information on those sites that would reflect poorly on the U.S. Army, reconsider. Even information posted to personal profiles lives in the public domain. You never know who might see it. It is often said that nothing truly disappears from the Internet. If you refer to the U.S. Army in your personal social network profile, you are identifying yourself as a part of a large network that includes both your colleagues and your chain of command. The information you post there should be consistent with your role as a Soldier and representative of the U.S. Army.

Security risks. Some security concerns such as OPSEC, propriety, firewall breaches and social engineering are legitimate issues, but we mitigate those risks through education. Most risks are not unique to social media. Some level of risk must be taken if we want to engage the battlespace.

G7 Nugget

The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) has published a letter addressing Structured Self Development (SSD). SSD is planned goal-oriented learning that reinforces and expands the depth and breadth of an individual’s knowledge base, self awareness and situational awareness. Below are the key enrollment dates. For more information please read the SMA’s letter on the G-7 website.

SSD I. Effective 1 Oct 10, Soldiers will be enrolled in SSD I automatically upon completing BCT/OSUT. Beginning FY13, Soldiers (PVT-SPC) who completed BCT/OSUT, but not WLC, prior to 1 Sep 10 will be automatically enrolled by 1 Jan 12.

There is no SSD between WLC and ALC.

SSD III. Effective 1 Jan 11, all SGTs and SSGs who are graduates of ALC or BNCOC will automatically be enrolled in SSD III. SGT (P), SSG and SFCS will be enrolled automatically upon completion of all phases of ALC.

SSD IV. Effective 1 Jan 11, SSG (P), SFC, and MSGs will be enrolled automatically into SSD IV upon completion of all SLC. Effective 1 Jan 13, completion of SSD IV is a prerequisite for attendance to SMC.

SSD V. Effective 1 May 11, MSGs (P) and SGMs will be enrolled automatically into SSD V upon completion of Sergeant Major Course or its equivalent. Beginning 1 May 13, completion of SSD V is a prerequisite to be considered for nominative and joint assignments.

Army learning management system (ALMA) will generate DA Form 87, certificate of training, for all SSD phase and provide completion notification to ATRRS. ATRRS will update personnel records as required

Act Now

The Army Career Tracker (ACT) is a cutting edge Army leadership development portal that will enable Soldiers, officers and civilians to track their training and education on one central website. ACT combines seventeen existing data sources into one, which will give the user the ability to manage their career objectives and monitor progress toward career requirements and goals. ACT will be deployed in phases. On 1 August 2011, the Enlisted Active, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard forces for Career Management Field (CMF) 42A will be given access to ACT. The Recruiting community will have access in Sept 2011. US Army officers and staff will have access in Nov 2011 ACT NOW! Check out Army Career Tracker at https://actnow.army.mil to start managing YOUR career today!

Did you know Soldiers and civilians are required to complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation or MSF-based approved motorcycle rider safety course prior to operating a motorcycle?

In addition, did you know the Army funds tuition for MSF Basic Rider course and Experienced Rider Course or Military Sport Bike Course attendance since the Department of Defense Traffic Safety Program and Army Safety Program mandate that all riders complete the course? Motorcycle Basic Rider Course, Experienced Rider Course and Military Sport Bike Courses are funded through the Regional Support Commands. The four Regional Support Commands cover 48 states and Puerto Rico so everyone has an opportunity to attend.

Since all Army personnel are required to complete Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course prior to riding or purchasing a motorcycle, Soldiers and civilians should notify their supervisors of their intention to purchase a motorcycle. After informing their supervisor of their desire to ride a motorcycle, Soldiers can search the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Web site at https://www.msf-usa.org for current course offering in their area. Civilians will need to identify an Active Duty installation course by searching the Army Traffic Safety Training Program Registration System for available courses at https://lmi.org.

Upon identifying a course you are reasonably sure you can attend, record the registration information. Each Regional Support Command processes funding requests differently, so you will need to submit the request through your supervisor to your commands Safety Manager or Training Officer to guarantee your request is funded. RSCs funding and registration guidance is available on the Safety AKO page at https://army.mil/suite/page/643756 in the Motorcycle Training folder. Allow at least two weeks for processing.

If you need assistance or additional information related to attending motorcycle safety training, the point of contact is Chris Black, Safety and Occupational Health Manager, 108th Training com-
mand (IET) at 704-342-5152 or Christopher. [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Nugget

The command is rapidly trying to fill EO leadership positions, sergeant (promotable) – first lieutenant, at battalion level and below, to assist commanders in carrying out the EO program, developing a healthy climate, and ensuring fair treatment for all persons based solely on merit, fitness, and capability. If you’re interested in making a difference in your unit and filling this key position contact your chain of command and request EO leader training today.